Author Gary Newton II Joins BK Nation
As 2025 comes to an end, I’d like to close the year out with an exclamation mark by welcoming Mr. Gary Newton II to BK Nation. If you value children’s books with great artwork, captivating storytelling, and a powerful message, then you’re going to love Newton’s book, “A Lizard’s Tale.” When I read this book, I found it to be more than a book for children. It has a moral compass for young teens and adults that guarantees to resonate with us all. I know BK Nation wants to know more about this talented author and his book so without further ado, it’s my honor to introduce you to the incomparable Gary Newton II.
KLR: Gary, I’m thrilled to welcome you to BK Nation. As we begin the holiday season, what do you enjoy most about this special month?
GN: I enjoy the food. It might seem a little comical to say that, but food is what brings friends, family, acquaintances, and even enemies together.
KLR: Tell us a little about you and your family…. i.e., favorite foods, restaurants, hobbies, family traditions, etc.
GN: Well, I’m a PK (pastor’s kid) and it’s just me and my sister and I’m the oldest. My wife, Antoinette, and I have been married for 19 years. We have two phenomenally gifted daughters, Haley and Eva, who are 17 and 11. And I can’t forget my son, Nathan, 23, who is my neighbor but has been calling me Poppa G for 15 years. During the Thanksgiving holiday, my family and I like to take cruises. We have just recently started surfing on these cruises as an excursion. We also found that because we’re on a cruise ship and in different places in the Caribbean/Yucatan Peninsula, we are able to have different cuisines on Thanksgiving Day, depending on what port we have traveled to.
KLR: Who is your favorite author and why?
GN: Stan Lee is my favorite author. From X-Men to Spider-Man to Hulk. His perspective of showing people with powers inside of themselves always spoke to me on a spiritual level. You would always hear people say that, “You are special,” and these characters were special that he wrote about. They had to use not only their powers to be responsible but to protect others and themselves. Also, having these powers made them different; and some people aren’t going to like you because you’re different and some are going to try to use you because you’re different, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop being different. The stories he wrote were not to dumb down his audience but to enlighten them of what’s going on in the real world through fictional storytelling of superheroes wearing spandex and capes.
KLR: What or who inspired you to become an author writing children’s books?
GN: I started telling stories out of working at my home daycare with my wife. During circle time or nap time, I would just freestyle stories to the kids and they enjoyed hearing them. And during my free time when I worked security way back in the day, I would sometimes write down those stories that the kids really liked. I ended up closing the daycare with my wife. But years later, my cousin wrote a children’s book. I went to her book signing and asked her how did she get started doing this because I also had stories that I had written down. She explained it to me, and I haven’t stopped since.
KLR: Your book, “A Lizard’s Tale” is an impressive, thought-provoking book with par excellent art illustration. Give us a brief synopsis of Ms. Lizard’s character and what takeaway from the book would you like to leave the reader with?
GN: I never really want to tell anyone what to think after they read one of my stories. I would prefer the reader to build their own belief and faith from the story. But if I was to give a synopsis of the story, please know that you have greatness inside of you. Know that you have courage, strength, determination, and a powerful voice. It is when you use these internal gifts, it shows your self-worth and demands respect.
KLR: What age group would you say this book is for?
GN: The book is for anyone to read, but the age group is 5 to 10.
KLR: What advice would you give to future authors who want to write children’s books?
GN: A story is only as good as its villain. And there is no such thing as a children’s book, you’re just telling a story.
KLR: Where can BK Nation purchase your book?
GN: My books can be found on Amazon.com in paperback and in digital formats. If you go to the search bar and type in Gary Newton, II and the title of one of my books you can find my stories there. Also, once you find one of my books click on the author’s name and all my published work will pop up. The names of my books are “Trust Me,” “Frog in the Hole,” “A Lizards Tale,” and hopefully within the next couple of months my next book will be “Ohh Mommy Look.” I’ve been working on this book for over six years just to get the manuscript right and the illustrations detailed enough for all audiences to enjoy. I want it to be my Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
KLR: Any final words before we end the interview?
GN: I’m honored that you would even have me as a person to be interviewed since my books are more geared to kids, thank you. I am extremely happy that you would even consider my writing to be acceptable for your audience of readers. I love telling stories and seeing a person’s face after they finish one of my stories. I feel like a composer and a conductor at the same time. As the composer, I’ve written the work and then as the conductor, I get to control your facial expressions and your emotions with what I’ve put together. It’s a very happy feeling and I am always thankful for being blessed with this gift.
KLR: Gary, thanks so much for spending time with BK Nation today. As customary with our authors, you will be receiving a copy of my book, “A Time for Courage”, compliments of yours truly. May the blessings of God be upon you and your family this holiday season and from BK Nation, we wish you a Happy New Year.
HISTORICAL EVENTS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
December 1, 1955 - The birth of the modern American civil rights movement occurred as Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat to a white man and move to the back section of a municipal bus.
December 2, 1823 - President James Monroe introduced his “Monroe Doctrine” during his annual message to the Congress, prohibiting any further colonization of the American continents by European powers.
December 5, 1933 - The 18th Amendment (Prohibition Amendment) to the U.S. Constitution was repealed. For nearly 14 years, since January 29, 1920, it had outlawed the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the U.S.
December 6, 1865 - The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified abolishing slavery.
December 7, 1941 - The U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was attacked by nearly 200 Japanese aircraft in a raid that lasted just over one hour and left nearly 3,000 Americans dead.
December 8, 1941 - A Day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States and Britain declared war on Japan.
December 16, 1773 - The Boston Tea Party occurred as colonial activists disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded British ships anchored in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 containers of expensive tea into the water.
December 20, 1860 - South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union in a prelude to the American Civil War.
December 24, 1943 - General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force preparing for D-Day.
December 25, 1776 - During the American Revolution, George Washington took 2,400 of his men across the Delaware River. Washington then conducted a surprise raid on 1,500 British-Hessians (German mercenaries) at Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessians surrendered after an hour with nearly 1,000 prisoners taken by Washington. The victory provided a much needed boost to American morale.
December 31, 1781 - The first bank in the U.S., the Bank of North America, received its charter from the Confederation Congress. It opened on January 7, 1782, in Philadelphia.
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
Christmas time--A time of celebration with family and friends, attending festive parties, and the food and fellowship that make this season so special. And of course, what we all wait anxiously for……the exchange of gifts as we watch the expression on the recipient’s face as they open their gifts.
As I’ve gotten older, I realize this season isn’t about how many gifts I’ll receive, but rather, how many gifts I’ll give. I’m reminded of a historical event that happened 2,000 years ago when a gift in the form of a baby boy was born in a manger to bring hope and salvation to the world. That baby boy’s name is Jesus, and he is still giving the ultimate gift to mankind today.
As we start the countdown to Christmas Day, I urge you (BK Nation) to consider purchasing a book for a young person or avid book reader. It will serve as an excellent Christmas gift and you don’t have to go to Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million, you can click on my website https://www.kenrichmondauthor.com/ken-talks and purchase the books that were featured in the newsletters. I’m sure the authors will appreciate the support, and the recipient will appreciate the gift.
PARTING THOUGHTS
I remember vividly my journey into the wonderful and exciting world of reading. I started reading (or at least trying to read) Dr. Seuss books when I was 6 years old. As a pre-teen, one of my neighbors introduced me to the Nancy Drew Mystery Book Series and I started to develop a love for reading. Later that year, my parents bought a set of encyclopedias, and I found myself reading a lot about historical events. Who would have ever thought this reading journey would lead me to write my first novel, “A Time for Courage.”
As we transition into a new year-2026, I’d like to challenge you to make yourselves a committee of one and purchase and present a book of your choice to 5 people in 2026.
Together, we can encourage and inspire a new generation of readers to help them tap into a vast world of knowledge and possibilities that can only be found in a book.
As I close this final newsletter in 2025, I want to thank you once again for your support throughout the year and wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!!